Stars and Stripes letter: AAFES censorship (of Moore's film)

[lebkuchen]

AAFES censorship

In explaining why Army and Air Force Exchange Service theaters will not be showing “Fahrenheit 9/11” (Stars and Stripes, Aug. 17), AAFES spokesman Judd Anstey gave a disingenuous excuse for censorship. He cited a business decision and claimed it had nothing to do with the film’s contentious political nature. Anstey compared the draw of “Bend it Like Beckham” (which grossed $161,528 first week) with “Fahrenheit 9/11” (grossed $24,078,959 first week), as if there were any parallel or relationship between the two films. You do the math.

Readers deserve more respect from an organization that serves those on the front lines defending our basic freedoms, which include freedom of speech and free exchange of ideas. AAFES did nothing to gain the trust of those serving our country honorably and perhaps should have remained silent instead of proffering a thinly veiled rationalization for censorship.

Our soldiers and civilians serving overseas deserve a fair and balanced coverage of the entire political spectrum. Partisan hacks may argue that “Fahrenheit 9/11” is bad for morale or may somehow encourage our enemies. I submit that by restricting the public’s access to information, AAFES commits an egregious act of censorship and abridges one of our most prized freedoms.

Daren R. Morales
Heidelberg, Germany

http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=125&article=24087